BIGGBY Coffee vs Blimpie
BIGGBY Coffee vs Blimpie: BIGGBY Coffee costs $296K–$1.0M to open; Blimpie costs $242K–$564K. BIGGBY Coffee has 194 units, Blimpie has 582. SBA loan history: BIGGBY Coffee = 289 loans (1.0% default); Blimpie = 658 loans (24.3% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 75/100 | 30/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Stable | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 289 | 658 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 1.0% | 24.3% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $296K – $1.0M | $242K – $564K |
Franchise Fee | $20K | $12K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 3% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $125K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $250K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 194 | 582 |
Franchised Units | 194 | 582 |
Company-Owned | — | — |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 5 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1995 | 1964 |
Franchising Since | 1999 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 27 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | East Lansing, MI | Scottsdale, AZ |
Category | Snack | Snack |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | 2024 |
Which Is Better — BIGGBY Coffee or Blimpie?
Lower upfront capital required
Blimpie
BIGGBY Coffee: $296K starting · Blimpie: $242K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Blimpie
BIGGBY Coffee: 289 SBA loans · Blimpie: 658 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
BIGGBY Coffee
BIGGBY Coffee: 1.0% · Blimpie: 24.3%
Larger system & brand presence
Blimpie
BIGGBY Coffee: 194 units · Blimpie: 582 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
BIGGBY Coffee: 6% · Blimpie: 6%
More lender financing options
Blimpie
BIGGBY Coffee: 70 unique lenders · Blimpie: 197 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation — your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
BIGGBY Coffee vs Blimpie: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing BIGGBY Coffee and Blimpie is about more than brand preference — it's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $242K to $1.0M.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — BIGGBY Coffee with 289 SBA loans and Blimpie with 658. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands — not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice — consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.